I have to agree that I didn't think McCain did as well in this debate as he did in others - style wise. And I was soooo upset that McCain didn't really nail Obama for abortion - the "health" definition isn't something liberals dreamed up, it's how the SC defines it. And THAT includes depression, etc. as reasons why a woman can abort a CHILD 8 months into a pregnancy. THAT is why health can't be used in the wording of any anti-abortion law. By adding health into the wording, you basically make the law null and void. And McCain didn't clarify that and he didn't make it OBVIOUS that Obama is truly to the far-left on the abortion issue. 

I wish McCain would have said - you are right, Senator Obama. There are things we can all agree on  - partial birth abortion is horrendous and if a child is born alive during a botched late-term abortion, that child should receive medical care. The majority of America agrees with that but you don't. Your voting record is very clear on that.

I still think McCain won this debate but style-wise he wasn't as good as he was in the second debate, IMO. I hope Joe the Plumber was a good enough reason for voters to turn from Obama ...  

I disagree. Last night's debate was, by far, McCain's best performance in these three debates. Yes, he missed some points that could have been made, but I feel that way in all debates. It is not possible, in such a limited time, to say what you want to say and what you have to say. Overall, McCain was on point, direct and provided more details of his program and philosophy than he did in the previous debates. He addressed Obama's points, for the most part, when Obama tried to sneak them in there. One example, related to off-shore drilling, Obama said he would "look at it" or something like that. McCain took time to credit Obama on his smooth talk but then pointed out his choice of words "look at" instead of actually do. I thought it was great. McCain even looked younger and more presidential last night than he had previously. Obama looked somewhat drawn and gaunt. McCain may not have measured up to many conservatives' ideals, but McCain was never the best candidate in the first place. Overall, though, I think he won last night's debate, hands down. It may not be enough to save him, but then again in light of the economy, the media storm, the Obama messianic complex, etc. There just might be too much working against Republicans this time. We just need to show up in force on November 4 and make the polls look ridiculous.

There were so many "sitters at the net" just waiting for a putaway smash. Off the top of my head I can think of Ayers, ACORN, abortion, John Lewis (sp?) and the "spreading the wealth" to create a "trickle up welfare" class.

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Just read this on Politico and had to pass it along:

From The Arena: What single issue apart from the economy is most in need of attention in the final days of the campaign?

response by Craig Shirley, Reagan biographer and president, Shirley and Banister Public Affairs:

Getting a reliable plumber is downright impossible. And a good contractor. And reliable cable and satellite service and don't get me started on babysitting. And what about the dry cleaner who keeps putting too much starch in my shirts? And why aren't there more good youth soccer coaches? And by the way, my neighbor's kid plays his music too loud.

All these vital services and problems should be nationalized and brought under the control of "The One."

Hey, it worked in the Soviet Union, didn't it?

"The One" should immediately address himself to all the material, familial, moral and spritual needs of Americans, right down to federalizing our trash pickup, making sure our children get three nutricious and balanced meals from the four basic food groups while a federal bureaucrat monitors each family to ensure they get to bed at a reasonable hour, but only after brushing thoroughly.

What he should propose is a Cabinet level Department of Anxiety Elimination for starters.

"The One" can lead us to the Promised Land where we can all catch a moonbeam in our hands.

If we all just wish hard enough, click our heels together, and remember that mediocrity is a virtue, then "The One" will teach all of us to just  get along.

Because he will save us. From ourselves.

regarding Barack Obama's tax plan - I never received a job from a poor person.

McCain scored some direct hits but missed some opportunities for a knockout.  He was forceful and direct while Obama was vague and nonchalant.  The easiest knockout punch could have been to take on Obama on abortion but that isn't an issue that will necessarily decide an election.  People are aware of McCain's pro-life position and Obama's pro-abortion position.  His position as supportive of abortions under any circumstances and paid for by the government is very radical and would be opposed by all but the most radical abortion supporters but is only parsing a position and wouldn't change too many votes.  McCain also let Obama get away with lies about Bill Ayers the domestic terrorist and Acorn, the group that is looking to steal the election through fraud and cheating and almost became institutionalized as a government program if the first "bailout bill hadn't been defeated.

I think the point Obama keeps saying about his tax policy providing tax cuts for 95% of the American people is a popular line that needs to be rebutted clearly.  First of all, only about 65% of Americans pay taxes (income taxes).  Secondly, Obama is clearly looking at reversing President Bush's tax cuts which for some reason expire after 10 years.  If those cuts were reversed, it would be the largest tax increase in history.  Finally, the line about providing tax cuts will likely be a complete lie following the Bill Clinton playbook.  Promise tax cuts in 1992 to get elected and deliver the largest tax increases ever in 1993, saying things changed.  Obama would do the same thing but it would hurt more.  If McCain had made these points, it would have been the knockout he needed.

McCain should keep up the Joe the plumber, Bill Ayers, Acorn and tax policy from now until the election.  Few should trust Obama for anything he says.

I watched live comments on both FreeRepublic and Michelle Malkin's site during the debate.  The majority really felt this was by far McCain's best performance.  They were flummoxed by the talking heads' reactions afterwards.

McCain is McCain.  He has always felt more comfortable going after fellow Republicans than Democrats.  But put yourself in his shoes.  If he leans too hard on Obama, he gets painted as a Meanie by the MSM.  If he does anything short of murder, he gets called a wimp by some on the right.  People point out "missed opportunities," but what can you do if somebody else is cutting you off and moving on?  (That said, Schieffer did a far better job than previous moderators, save for Rick Warren.)

It annoys me that the pundit class, even some that I really like, are saying, "He should've said this and this is how I would've answered Obama."  Well, if you pundits are so damn smart, why don't you get off your highly-paid butts and RUN FOR FRICKIN' OFFICE YOURSELF??

Early in a campaign you have to define your opponent.  Bush and Rove succeeded in doing this with Kerry as a flip flopper.  No such narrative has come out of the McCain camp.  The theme of the McCain campaign on Obama should have been 2 things:

1.  Obama is outside the mainstream with his far left liberalism

2.  Obama has terrible judgement and can't be trusted given his lengthy pattern of associating with people of very questionable character.

This should have been the theme from McCain during all three debates.  I heard a little bit of it here and there but not enough to create a narrative different from the one that the liberal media has been creating for Obama.

I still hold out hope that McCain can pull this off in the next few weeks. Not that I'm a big fan of McCain but because I think we just cannot afford Barack H. Obama.